Businessman 'showing off' on his £1m yacht killed his best friend, inquest hears

A successful businessman caused the death of his friend by "showing off" while driving a high-powered boat and crashing into his luxury cruiser at 30mph, a court has heard.

Ryan McKinlay, a father-of-one from Gosport, Hampshire, died following the accident in Osborne Bay off the Isle of Wight on June 19 2015.

Aaron Brown, 34, chief operating officer of telecoms firm OneCom, of Botley Road, Curdridge, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 36-year-old, which he denies.

Nick Tucker, prosecuting, said that Brown had taken a group of friends, including professional footballers Lee Bradbury and Lee Molyneaux, for a day out on his 62ft Fairline Targa cabin cruiser named True Blue from Swanwick, Hampshire, to Osborne Bay off the Isle of Wight.

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Aaron Brown denies manslaughter by gross negligence - Credit: Solent

During the afternoon, Brown and his hired skipper, Paul Carey, took turns to take the cruiser's Williams Turbojet 325 rigid inflatable boat (Rib) out of the vessel's onboard garage to go for "thrill-seeking" joyrides.

The jury was shown dramatic footage filmed by Mr McKinlay's wife, Fran, which shows Brown driving the Rib with her husband on board at speed towards the cruiser and colliding into the rear and the vessel's swimming platform.

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The RIB being removed - Credit: Solent

Mr Tucker said the defendant "desperately" tried to steer away from the True Blue, but it skidded and collided at 90 degrees.

He continued: "Mr McKinlay, sitting at the front, had no chance. The swimming platform hit him in the chest at full force and threw him into the water.

"Mr Brown was catapulted into the air and onto the swimming platform, and he escaped with minor injuries."

He added that the Rib was capable of speeds of up to 40mph and said: "It's ideal for boat owners who want to have fun on the water."

Mr Tucker explained the Rib "swerved violently" moments prior to the crash which could have been cause by waves in the water or by Brown reversing the boat's water-jet thrust to act as an emergency brake.